Study of Emotional Health Among Student Nurses
Introduction
The emotional health of student nurses is a critical aspect of their overall well-being and academic success. Various factors, including the learning environment, emotional intelligence, and institutional support, play significant roles in shaping their emotional health. This review synthesizes findings from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the emotional health challenges faced by student nurses and the potential strategies to address these issues.
Key Findings
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Learning Environment and Emotional Well-being
- The quality of the learning environment significantly influences the emotional well-being of nursing students. Factors such as faculty role, teaching approaches, academic expectations, and availability of learning resources are crucial. Institutional support and addressing the 'hidden curriculum' are also important to foster a conducive learning environment.
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Emotional Intelligence and Well-being
- Emotional intelligence (EI) is a strong predictor of well-being among nursing students. Higher EI is associated with better stress management, higher academic performance, and greater life satisfaction. Training in EI can enhance students' ability to cope with stress and improve their overall well-being .
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Health Concerns and Academic Impact
- Nursing students often face various health issues, including sleep difficulties, interpersonal concerns, and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. These health concerns can significantly impact their academic performance and emotional health, highlighting the need for comprehensive student support services.
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Self-compassion and Emotional Intelligence
- There is a positive correlation between self-compassion and emotional intelligence. Nursing students with higher self-compassion tend to have better emotional intelligence, which helps them manage their emotions and professional responsibilities more effectively.
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Emotional Work in Clinical Settings
- Providing emotional support to patients is a challenging yet essential aspect of nursing. Student nurses often struggle with maintaining an emotional balance, which can affect their emotional health. Understanding and supporting students in this aspect of their practice is crucial for their professional development.
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Resilience and Non-technical Skills
- Training in emotional intelligence can build resilience and non-technical skills in nursing students, particularly during clinical placements. This training helps students respond positively to stressful situations, enhances their empathy and compassion, and improves their overall work readiness.
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Respectful Learning Environment
- Establishing a respectful learning environment is vital for safeguarding the emotional well-being of psychiatric/mental health student nurses. Such an environment supports learners' psychological needs and contributes to their overall well-being and academic success.
Conclusion
The emotional health of student nurses is influenced by multiple factors, including the learning environment, emotional intelligence, and institutional support. Addressing these factors through targeted interventions, such as EI training and creating a supportive learning environment, can significantly enhance the well-being and academic performance of nursing students. Future research should continue to explore these areas to develop effective strategies for supporting the emotional health of student nurses.
References
- Learning environment and emotional well-being: A qualitative study of undergraduate nursing students.
- Emotional intelligence and health students' well-being: A two-wave study with students of medicine, physiotherapy and nursing.
- Emotional intelligence: its relationship to stress, coping, well-being and professional performance in nursing students.
- Nursing Students' Perceptions of the Academic Impact of Various Health Issues.
- Relationship between self-compassion and emotional intelligence in nursing students.
- The meaning of emotion work to student nurses: a Heideggerian analysis.
- Emotional intelligence increases over time: A longitudinal study of Australian pre-registration nursing students.
- Safeguarding student well-being: establishing a respectful learning environment in undergraduate psychiatric/mental health education.
- Emotional intelligence as a mechanism to build resilience and non-technical skills in undergraduate nurses undertaking clinical placement.